Unidirectional strand processing machine



Oct. 9, 1951 L. ILLMER UNIDIREC-TIONAL STRAND PROCESSING MACHINE 4Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 15, 1947 S. R Q

H mm vlw IN V EN TOR.

Oct. 9, 1951 L. ILLMER UNIDIRECTIONAL STRAND PROCESSING MACHINE 4Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Dec. 13, 1947 .Ilvlllll I INVENTORI Oct. 9, 1951 L.ILLMER 2,570,953

UNIDIRECTIONAL. STRAND PROCESSING MACHINE Filed Dec. 13, 1947 4Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTOR.

Oct. 9, 1951 L. ILLMER 2,570,953

UNIDIRECTIONAL STRAND PROCESSING MACHINE Filed Dec. 13, 1947 '4Sheets-Sheet 4 IN V EN TOR.

Patented Oct. 9, 1 951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE UNIDIRECTIONAL STRANDPROCESSING MACHINE Louis Illmer, Cortland, N. Y.'

Application December 13, 1947, Serial No. 791,474

19 Claims.

This invention relates to a novel and highly eihcient strand grindingmachine of the automatic type for steel mills and similar heavy dutysurfacing or the like diametral reducing needs in which a series ofslowly advanced abrasive tapes or the equivalent tool agency iseffectively utilized to penetratively treat a long mill length ofreelable high tensile strand stock when dragged through my grinder unitin a closed travel course by means of improved reeling equipmentespecially adapted to handle a workpiece of one-tenth inch or largergauge size.

Laterally pliable rod stock or a batch of heavy alloy steel wire mayherein be unidirectionally dr ged in successive passes by radicallysimplified reeling means at a relatively high optimum velocity withouthaving any laid coil retractibly pry away from its reel rim whileimparting the desired intensified cutting rate to an endless treatedwork piece when brought into operative engagement with a plurality ofcontinuously advanced abrasive tapes in consecutive unidirectionalstrand passes. These tapes may respectively be carried by eitherrotating or by stationary head units, the work piece travel rateprimarily serving to furnish the necessary lengthwise stroking for rapidpenetrative abrasive action. Such practice enables the bending stress ofthe crimped coil stock to be safely extended well beyond its elasticlimit without rupture at a substantial saving in diametral size andfirst cost of the reel requirements.

As a prerequisite for cold wire drawing, a stock ingot may initially bereduced by hot rolling into long rods having a reasonably uniformdiameter of about or less in size. It is this and the like type of heavymetallic strand, particularly of stainless or the like alloy steel, thatmy grinder is designed to handle at a fast productive rate in a longmill length that may weigh about 1000 lbs. per batch. After beingpreground with coarse grit tape, such rod stock may be further reducedstepwise through a series of draw benches or die blocks.

It will be obvious that a similar but less favorable finish maybeattained by longitudinally shaving down the diametral strand size of areeled work piece by cutting tool means other than an abrasive agency.As herein practiced,

it is preferred to slowly feed paper backed abrasive tape crosswise of arelative fast moving endless work piece in a partially perimetricallywrapped condition and to substantially expend the grit cutting qualityin a single pass through its concaved' cutting zone to virtually imparta 2 burnished finish by accumulated grit loading a the work piece leavessuch zone. The resulting high degree of superficial smoothness attained,reduces wear on part of a wire drawing die when run at a prescribedreeling velocity.

Upon reaching a, prescribed diametral size, the drawn wire may bereturned to my grinder to further refine its superifical polish by theuse of finer grit tape. Such augmented processing is also conducive to amore economical subsequent electrochemical treatment, particularly wheredifferent wire sizes are to be closely matched for a requisite brightfinish.

An optimum work piece travel velocity of more than one thousand feet perminute is preferred in order to achieve the performance herein soughtand this aspect may still call for power driven reeling means ofcomparatively large diameterso as not to be repeatedly subject a largegauged crimped rod to abnormal set likely to bring about rapid metalfatigue. Furthermore, such stipulated fast reeling is expedited bymaintaining the treated coiled rod in a single reel layer withoutallowing it to become snarled into bunched formation that may interferewith freely unwrapping the reeled stock at higher linear velocity or tootherwise seriously mar the ground surface finish of the strand product.My driven tractor reel also possesses ample overall face width to stowan extensive coiled batch length that provides for an adequate grindertime period without need of frequent batch replenishment when rapidlyground with coarse grit.

The problem of reeling a work piece of large diametral size at highrunning speed in successive light cut passes, is inherently difficult tosolve in a satisfying manner particularly as regards its technical andcommercial aspects. The power requirements for such stock a measured perfoot of length, is found to be substantially proportionate per singlecrimp to the excess bending stretch or elongation imparted beyond itselastic limit and that the corresponding motive power requirementincreases directly with the work piece travel rate. Hence when forpresent purposes, the bending stress is allowed to assume an inordinatevalue for ag iven travel rate, such reel crimping in rapid successiontends also to unduly preheat an abrasively treated rod and results inabnormal wastage of reeling power. The cited conditions are best metcommercially by a reel of minimum allowable diameter that is kept inproper relation to its maximum cooperating rod size and an appropriatelinear travel rate. A further noteworthy feature of my wire grinder isto provide refined means for efiiciently handling rolled steel rod stockin a usual mill run length.

The object of my improvements is to devise compactly combined reelingand grinder equipment in accordance with my teachings or system thatshall be reasonably low in first reel cost and rendered capable ofrapidly reeling a long heavy strand ::at optimum velocity through one ormore rotary grinder heads whereby to economically complete uniformsuperficial abrasive treatment throughout the strand length on a fastproductive rate at a corresponding low attendance cost per ton ofproduct and which in.- stallation provides for reasonably moderatepowerrequirements together with a comparatively short shutdown period inwhich. to replenish a completely ground strand batch. Further embodiedherein are certain structural refinements designed to promote the end inview including a non-reversing reel tli'a't linearly drags an endlessWire'batch and whicnre'el cooperates with a sta- =tor equipped withautomatic multiple camming -means 'arcuately'distributed exteriorlyabout my driven tractor reel for positivelyroller actuating a certainlaterally shiftable last laid rim .embracingstrand coil sidewise in thedirection of the reel axis in a "manner that is particularly appropriatein meeting heavydutystrand shift needs asapplied to a tractor reel ofsome 4 ft. in width when arranged to serve as a rodcoil storage space oraccumulator.

A further objective resides in generally providing for a competitiveheavy duty rod'grinder 'for handling an endless strand batch inconsecutive unidirectional'passes to rapidly impart -a high gradesurf-ace finish thereto sufiiciently smooth and round to adequatelysatisfy wire drawing needs. 'While a machineof this kind becomes massivein weight 'and correspondingly "expensive 'in'firstcost, suchcommercially important aspect is herein held within moderate limits bymy relatively small sized reel as run unidirectionally at -'acomparatively high peripheral speed suitable for -eflicientgrinding. Ihepresent disclosure further teacheshow to economically attain the maximumallowable 'reel "output without encountering rod rupture.

Reference is had 'to the accompanying four -s'heetsof drawings of apref-erred exemplifica- "tion, and in which drawings:

'Fig. lillustrates an elevational side view of my unitary machineassembly provided with multiple rotating grinder'headaand'Fig. 2represents 'a' top View thereof.

Fig. 3 cross-sectionally reveals a detail of my tractor reel takenalong33' of Fig. l as partially telescoped within a c'ircumscribingstator of the split type.

Fig. 4 shows a top view-of stator prop means taken along 4-4 of Fig. '1,andFig- 5 is an elevational side View of 'Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 represents an .elevational :view of my :clutchable batch take-oildrum taken in partial section along tt"of Fig; 1.

Big. '7 shows a 'face viewof a grinder head as- :sembly as. seen from-ll'of liig. 1,. and Fig. 8a sectional view'of sucht'assembly takenalong 88 DfLFig. v7.

"Fig. 9 details "a spring :retained tape backing jaw taken along9-6 ofFig.8, and Fig. 110 is an ?enlarged profile view of a preferred jawshape taken along I illfi' of Fig. .9.

.Fig. 11 fragmentally details ashiftable skew isheavelbearing.taken'za'long 111-. H of-Fig. 1,;and

Fig. 12 diagrammatically outlines an alternative structural modificationof the Fig; 2 assembly.

Referring more specifically to Figs. 1 and 3, such grinder assemblypreferably comprises a smooth faced tractor reel i0 adapted to haveeither a large or a small gauged strand laid thereon at a closely Woundpitch and which reel is shown carried upon the horizontal main axle 11that may span mated bearings .lSllCh as i2. Each bearing may be mountedupon a pedestal i3 resting upon sole plate means such as a pair of forerail sections MA of channel profile extendingjlengthwise beneath mygrinder unit.

A primary drive motor l5, preferably of the inbuilt gear reduction type,may have its slow speed outlet shaft coupled directly to one reelaaxlerend. Thehub of the reel l8 may be mounted to float upon said axleby disengaging the interposedclutch l6.

My fiangeless substantially even cylindrical rim face of saidtractorreelis preferably keptuninterrupted in profile andsuificient indiametral size notto excessively set itscircumscribing rod coils byabnormal superficialstretch or. elongation. Such disposition-also avoidsabsorbing abnormal "motive power when the endless work piece is givencarelatively high linear velocity. Heavy stock while beingcrimpinglytrainedonto my reel, is preferably subjected to a bending stress beyondits elastic limit and thereby imparts arestricted-set.tendencythat hugsthe 1'66]. rim when helically wrapped thereon. Such practice materiallyreduces reel.costs and permits its axle to be run at a relativelyhighrotative speed.

A large plurality of/reel lightening'stanchions such as i Smayeach'be'inset radially with respect to the rim diameterito provide for aprecipitous offset or shallow ledge l9. Such succession of 'stanchionsmay extend in parallelism with the reelaxis asshown to afford askeletonized cylindricalrim along which rod coils may by registeringautomatic roller means he collectively shifted in advance of the lastoncoming reel coil.

A portion of the abrasively treated strand ll may initially comprise along'bundle ofrod stock as rolledtoamegular'mill length whose ends areweldedtogether into "a closedloop. A restricted coiled portion 28 ofsuch batch (see Fig- 3) maybe kept'tightly'wound helically about saidrim .in a side by side. single layer formation to constitute rodgripping means for my driven reel. These -laid gripping coils need bemerely sufiicient in number-to prevent excessive strand slip andv anyaugmented abrasive drag .exertedupon the work pieceis self. adjusted bya corresponding tighteningof thereel grip.

By a continued unidirectional turning of the traction reel, such groupof rim gripping coils is automatically caused to move bodily toward andover the offset ledge I9, whereupon the initial coil tension orrim gripbecomes progressively relaxed and the transferred coils may finally bemade to nongrippingly depend from the top stanchions i8Without;excessiveyradial clearance prior-to having .the. last leavingreel coil unwrap tangentially. These distributed stanchions or'skeletionized rim extensions, are purposely given along reach tosliclably stow a considerable surplusrod batch thereon that may amountto onehalf ton .in weight. .As an equivalent, the cited stanchions l8may be replaced by an inwardly stepped reel skirtsection .that1isintegrally cast :asan extensionbf my coilgripping reel section .20,;the;low;. tensioned ccils1being tangentially 1111'.-

'its coaxial reel perimeter.

wrapped from the rim end region lying remote.

gripping coils 2!] require no further strand conforming motive poweruntil the unwrapped coils leaving the 'stanchions are straightened outfor transit over the idler sheave 2!. Such reeling system needs a totalbut two pairs of reversed crimps per pass to be simultaneously imposedupon my fast running endless work piece without deleterious effects andthus correspondingly reduces heavy duty power needs.

The reel oncoming and reel oifcoming strand length portions of myendless work piece run in opposite travel directions at a maintainedvelocity. It would become inherently difficult to rapidly reverse amassive large sized reel of the kind herein contemplated. Furthermore,the present mode of sustained unidirectional reel drive does not suffera loss in productive capacity due to frequent reel reversal periods.

Attention will now be directed to my novel automatic camming meanswhereby the rim gripping coils 28 are bodily shiftel laterally afterhaving been laid upon the tractor rim. A stationary housing or stator 24may comprise a ringshaped channel iron providing for a bore constituentof approximately the same diameter as Said stator may be placedalongside one rim end of the traction reel (see Fig. 3). The respectiveterminal regions of the split or sectionized semicircular statorcomponents may be equipped with mated patring flanges 25 and 26 that aresuperimposed and bolted together to admit of separately demounting theupper stator half. An extended plate 21 may underlie such mated flangesand be propelled by the support bracket 28 mounted upon the fore baserail section 1 4A. A reenforcing strut 29 may add rigidity to the lowerhalf of the stator and the diagonally disposed straps such as 30 mayserve to stiffen the split stator terminals against spread.

The web of my channel iron stator 24 may have a plurality of radiallydistributed bushings 3| erected therethrough at substantially uniformangular pitch spacing. Each such bushing may mount a journal 32 having adepending eccentric pin 33 circumscribed by a fast running, heavy dutyradial ball bearing 34. As shown, the outer "race of said bearingpreferably carries a perimetion to the reel axis with each perimetricroller edge kept closely interspaced from its contiguous rim face byless than the gauge size given to said last laid reel coil as shown (seeFig. 3). The disposition of my series of arcuately arranged rollerperimeters is such as to be maintained in imme- 7 diate registeringcontact with the aforesaid last coil as a laterally shiftable trackagency that in a simple direct manner is made to positively propel theentire group of previously laid reel coils bodily onward toward theopposite rim end, when the last laid coil is roller wiped lengthwisethereof.

My journal 32 may be adjustably rotated to fix the eccentricity of thesuccessive pins 33 in progressively stepped or helically advancedpositions. During a completed reel revolution, each rim gripping coilmay thereby be positively shifted and progressively forced over by adistance corresponding to the diametral size given to the work piece.Such lateral movement on part of previously laid coils, makes room forthe cleared reception of the last oncoming coilirrespective of thediametral size given to my reel and without requiring the strand to besubjected to high drag tension.

To this end, the respective roller faces are herein spirally placed intoimmediate thrusting registry with the last oncoming reel coil whichcollectively serves as a laterally shiftable race agency for such faces.As shown, each such roller may be made slightly liftable axially andradially away from the rim contour to compensate for any misalignedrunning of the reel.

Each journal 32 may be selectively retained in its adjusted position bymeans of a graduated keeper disc 37 whose edge may be clamped into placeto suit work piece gauge requirements. The eccentric pin 33 may also bemade withdrawable outwardly through the affixed bushing 3| to facilitaterenewal of any defective roller or for other purposes. Such multipleantifriction rollers respectively run without abnormal slip at wiretravel speed at the minimum of drag and without marring the work piecesurface. For heavy duty needs, a considerable number of smaller rollersacting in unison are generally required to unfailingly bring aboutlateral movement on part of a tightly wound group of large gauged reelgripping rod coils.

By virtue of the described camming instrumentalities including a rollerwhose axis is radially disposed with respect to the reel axis, each rodstock coil may throughout its length be simultaneously crowded in thedirection of the reel axis whether the latter is disposed horizontallyor vertically. It is preferred to resort to the first named dispositionin that small gauged coils can more readily be kept in sing-1e layerformation. Such disposition also promotes the attainment of safe highspeed work piece travel for larger sized reeled rods without unwrappingentanglement or otherwise allowing any surplus coils to bunch up andcollect to a considerable depth.

In order to maintain the desired single layer formation throughout thewhole length of my stowed coils, I may resort to one or more restrainingrollers such as 38 which overlie said single layer in a closelyinterspaced relation and prevent detrimental lifting of any one coil outof normal alignment by more than the major portion of the work piecesize. A roller carrying guide 39 may have one end provided with an earflange that is adjustably affixed to the top edge of a ringlike stator2Q, as shown.

While the tractor reel I6 is running, the tension prevailing in thesuccessive coils 20 will by frictional rim grip, become slackened priorto reaching the rim ledge is and thus impart a comparatively low tensionto the strand loop portion when it reaches the idler sheave 2L Suchreduced tension, even when augmented by grinder idrag, :may .of itselfprove insufficient to assure lan-iunremitting crowding over of all myreel gripping coils. Unless the lateral-coilshiftfor a large sizedgrinder reel is positively-actuated,an nncoming last'laid coil may buildup .andwind- .ingly.over-ridepreceding coils.

.The need for resorting to a conventional level winder mechanism isherein eliminated. Lateral coilishift by my improved roller cammingmeans subsequent to laying such coil upon a solitary tractor reel, iseffected at a low velocity rate which in turn hOlds its powerrequirements small .511. relation to that of rapidly dragging the work:piece through heavy duty multiple'grinder heads.

11 .0 suitably control the slack tension prevail- ;ingin thestrandportion as it leaves the driven reel 1 9,, the supports of theskewed sheave 24 'may ;b.e:-shiftably mounted (see Fig. 11). Theinclined sheave axle may have one of its endselevated *withrespect toits mate. Such axle may be spanningly carried between laterally divertedpedeszta'lscdi and d2 of different heights, each having a similar baseshoe that slidably rest-upon their aft rail sections MC. Opposeddepending shoe lips may each mount an adjustable wedge block id thatengages beneath a contiguous channel flange as shown.

Aratchet actuated towing jack is (see Figs. 1 and 2) may comprisean-interiorly threaded quill 45 that cooperates with opposed eye boltscrews :such as 46 which ma be utilized to selectively shift the skewsheave toward Or away from the reel axle 'H. A separate jack may actuateeach pedestal shoe and the rail overlying quills thereof mayrespectively be equipped with a chain interconnected sprocket such as dlwhich permit of turning both quills in unison when actuated througheither ratchet such as '48.

Where it is desired to operate with a relatively higher tension on theslack side of my workpiece loop as it enters the grinder heads, this mayreadilybe accomplished by suitably adjusting the ratchets d8. lhesurplus coils then become more --tightly collapsed about the stanchionsl8 but in such event itis preferred to increase the'number 60B. Suchsuperstructure ;-ma be .upheld Joy-.2. plurality of structural uprights6 lA-andfiiB that 'rest upon the medial railsection MB whose ends mayrespectively be aflixed .to the fore andaft rail sections MA andl-4C.

Attached to one stringer .beam as 60A, isa series of duplex bracketssuch as 63 whichcollectivelymount a single tape feed shaft 64. Saidshaft carries a tape feed gear 55 adjacent to the respective opposedbracket. ends. The head carrying'pedestals 55 and 55 may. each mount atwin master gear 68 of which the inner component meshes with aregistering idler feed gear 1. The gear arrangement is such that themaster gear may rotate independently of the spindle-.52. The other ofsaid twin master gears may mesh with-a pair of planetary headgearsGGA-andBBB. Each head assembly may further provide for dualabrasivetapes 69A and 69B (see Fig. 9) which are continuously .fedbetween the backing jaws 1i3A=and 19B into opposed: operative engagementwith the work piece 57.

. My multiple grinder head spindles may be col- ;lectivel-y operated byadrive shaft i2 extending beneath the several head assemblies inparallelism with the feed shaft EM (see Fig. 8). ,Anindependentlycontrolled auxiliary motor 13 may be direct-connected tosaid drive shaft and shut 'down while my tractorreel isbeing replenishedwith an-untreated stock batch. Such separate motor controls may beutilized to more .highly polish a treated wire during a final grinderstage 7 by shutting down said feed shaft while the head or heft of theapplied rollers 35 to compensate for augmented coil shift effort.

For larger reels of the kind herein contemplated, a normal expectationfor laterally shifting a large group of wound coils as a unit, is likelyto reach more than one ton of applied thrust load. Considering the highspeed at which -my roller bearings are intended to run, aload ofthis-magnitude is most fittingly carried by a series of smaller rollersuniformly distributed aboutthe reel axis.

Figs. '7 and 8 are illustrative of a preferred type of grinder unit 23which my heavy duty reeling equipment is especially adapted to serve.Such grinder may comprise a pair of rotary or stationary head members59A and 563 that are over- .hangingly afixed to opposite ends of thetubular spindle 52. The rate of grinder output may be increased in aproportionate relation to the number of heads employed provided theresulting coil :gr-ip about the tractor reel does not become .undulyheavy. Each such spindle may rotate in a pair of ball bearings that areindividually mount- .ed inthe interspaced pedestals 54 and 55. A spindledrive gear 55 is installed therebetween that meshes with the idler gear57. The respective bearing pedestals may be-supported upon asuperstructure that comprises the rolled cross beam 6-2 whose ends areaffiXedlycarr-ied bya mainof laterally spacedstringer beamsfi 0A andshaft remains operative.

The sectionalized tape feed shaft-64 may be driven in unison with thedrive shaft 12' through a differential gear box '15 by the chain 16 (see:Fig. '7 A slow rate of movement is, given to one .such differentialgear as fixed by independently .motorized'long-range speed reducer Tlpreferably of the so-calledv gyro type whose'slow speed output shaft maybe arranged .to drive said one gearby a change gear trainlB and'"'!9.'

The abrasive tapes or the like cutting agencies 69A and 693 may beadvanced from radially opposed supply spools such as by a feed roller8|. The roller shank may be entered through a head disc bore to mount aplanetary gear thereon such as'68B that runs in mesh with its mastergear E6. The resulting gear train positively advances the mated abrasivetapes of each head continuously in opposite directions as indicated byarrows. When slowly fed, the tape gritmay become substantially spent ina single pass through its localized cutting zone.

'The lengthwise stroking of the work piece with partially loaded tape,not only maintains a uni .form cutting performance irrespective of itsrate of, grit attrition, but alsotattain a substantially smooth andbright work piece finish although fastcutting 20 to 30.mesh grit maybe.employed. The loaded grit prevailing in the strandleaving region of myabrasive tape imparts a substantially burnished finish to the groundstrandina single cutting zone. For such coarse grinding, it is preferredto utilize rotary grinder heads in that they impart a trulyround-profile to treated rod stockfree from undercut flats.

In case the opposed roller grooves of a hot rod .mill should fail toalign in registry, my rotary I tape carrying grinder head and its gritbacking .shoe tend .to increasingly impress any superficial .high spotsof anoncircular rod andtherebygpen .mitof a: more rapidsubsequent diedrawing-withflange 94.

out" materially destroying the quality of wire Fig. reveals the mannerin which it is preferred to augment the grit embrace of each abrasivetape about a work piece perimeter having a comparatively large size.Each elongated trailing edge of my reversed tape backing jaws 10A and7913 may respectively be provided with a protuberance 83 extendinginwardly of its usual flat jaw face region. Such sinuous orperimetrically wrapped tape disposition augments the normal extent ofgrit contact for an abraded wire and correspondingly increases thegrinding rate 'of the tapes 69A and 6913 for a given linear travelvelocity of the work piece. The effect of such jaw protuberance is to, acertain extent concavedly wrap the grit face of my abrasive tapeperimetrically about the wire surface. In the case of processing a wireof say one-fourth inch 4") in gauge size the productive rate of a givengrinder head may thereby be substantially doubled, which in turnsignificantly reduces the first cost of such appurtenances.

As regards my improved means for replenishing a completed strand batchwith dispatch, further reference is had to Figs. 1 and 2. Upon beingrelaxed by jack release, a sagging suspended work piece portion may besevered at w and the respective cut ends carried to a batch offtake orbundling drum 85 and to a cooperating batch supply spool 86 asschematically indicated in dotted and dashed outline by the numeral H.To facilitate such severance, the fore and aft rail sections MA and MCmay each be equipped with a depending strut such as 81 having its freeend provided with a releasable J-bolt 88 adapted to .clampingly retainsaid severed strand portion in fixed spaced relation.

The drum 85 and spool 86 may be shown compactly located beneath mygrinder stringer beams 60A and 60B intermediate the traction reel Ii]and the sheave 2|. When these accessories are fabricated as sparecounterparts, they may re spectively include a tapered rim 90 (see Fig.6) having opposed end flanges 9| and 92. The drum web 93 may bedemountably secured to the hub The driven bundling drum 85 may bearranged as a unit to comprise a framework 89 that spans theintermediate rail section MB to provide mated bearings for mounting adrive shaft 95 having a clutch 93 including an extended sleeve 91 thatis telescoped through one such frame bearing; The hub flange 94 may beoverhangingly carried by the projecting end of said sleeve. The oppositedrum shaft end may be provided with a sprocket 98 that may be chaindriven from a registering sprocket 99 mounted on the main axle H (seeFig. 2). When fashioned as a supply spool, the frame structure may bekept similar except that no clutch mechanism is required.

It is preferred to operate with a standardized endless work piece l1having a predetermined linear dimension. The usual variation in the millrun bundle length of such treated stock may readily be compensated bythe use of a supplementary make up or lead wire. When initially I weldedto one end of an insufficient batch length,

these components may be coiled on an installed supply spool. An emptyofftake reel is also placed into its operative position. The preparatoryloop connections are then completed and the J-bolts 88' released.

' By disengaging the main axle clutch I6, the primary motor l5 may startto independently 10 rotate the drum 85 in its arrowed direction toslowly withdraw thereon the previously finished batch. After such batchwithdrawal, the gripof the J-boltsmay be restored and the terminals of anewly installed batch may be welded into a slackened endless loop. Bytightening the twin jacks 44, the grinder machine is made ready to treatanother batch without undue time loss for batch replenishments. Byvirtue of the selective clutches l6 and 96 and the large differencebetween reel and drumdiameters, a relatively slow transfer velocity forbatch replenishment needs, is herein established without resort to asepa-' rate auxiliary motor.

Fig. 12 reveals the use of duplex traction reels such as H] and theelimination of a skewed sheave such as 2|. In such instance, therespective strand coils 20 may be laterally shifted stepwise by thesuccessive use of dual camming means such as 35 (see Fig. 3). Theirmultifold coil groups are thereby made to respectively shift away fromand toward the longitudinal axis of the common grinder unit 23 so as tocomplete a return circuit including a reeled batch portion that alignswith the grinder heads. Such duplex, reeling equipment allows ofcorrespondingly shortening the reel stanchions [8 for a given batchweight or if desired, of increasing the surplus length of a stowedendless batch.

My machine is especially adapted to penetratively treat round reelablealloy wire or rod stock in larger sizes and may in consecutive passeseconomically impart a considerable weight reduction to such batch stock.For rod drawing needs, a weight reduction of 8 to 10% is generallydeemed more than sufllcient to grind out surface crevices, eradicatedecarbonization and expose uniform core metal.

It may be emphasized that my camming mechanism is also applicable inmeeting the needs of a high speed wire drawing bench or the like strandreducing die means. For such purposes; a group of strand coils may begrippingly wrapped on a tractor reel rim and bodily shifted laterally inthe direction of the rotor axis. In such application, it is preferred toprovide for multiple counterbalancing rollers of the kind more fully setforth in my copending Serial No. 130,459 as filed December 1, 1949.

My improved wire grinder system resides in the use of a novelcombination of claimed elements capable of effecting a noteworthy resultthat adequately meets heavy duty steel works needs. This may beeconomically attained by working with a rotary tape feeding head as usedin con: junction with my essentially simplified unidirectional tractorreel in which strand camming means are maintained in immediate contactwith the last laid reel coil to wipe lengthwise thereof withoutrequiring any intrinsic strand carrier or the like interposedappurtenance. The method of working in successive endless passes asherein practiced, uniformly abrades a treated batch throughout itslength without substantial waste of strand stock or abrasive tape. Evenwith coarse grit abrasive, a substantially burnished surface finish maybe imparted to a long rod batch admirably suited for wire drawing dieblock purposes that requires no supplementary follow-up fine gritgrinding to perfect a rough initial finish. As will be understood, theattainable final strand finish as measured in micro-inches, is dependentin a large measure on the maximum cut depth employed per single rodpass. Hence my grinder system achieves superior results at a relatively1i low cost per ton basis particularly as regards labor, in contrast tothat afforded by a one-pass deep-cutting, high speed abrasive wheel whenthe difference in superficialfinish'quality is properly evaluated.

The present annual production of American steel rods has reached over'5;000,000 tons, "of which some 10% may be profitably 'preground priorto drawing the same into wire, particularly in the case of low-carbon oralloy steel'stock, provided the cost of such treatment is reduced to afrugal level. A salient feature of 'the-present grinder improvementsresides in effecting a decided saving in rod processing cost overprevalent wire grinder tools.

By using a 4 ft. diameter x 4ft. long tractor reel of 'the type hereindevised and starting with annealed continuous high-carbon-alloystock-that is mill rolled to a /4" rod diameter and reel dragged at alinear velocity-of 3-000 ft./min.-as an endless loop of over 2000'ft; inlength,- the time per batch pass is about 07 min. Such a grinder unitmay comprise eight-standardized rotary heads that collectively feed4"-Wide 30 grit paper-backed roll tape crosswise-of the dragged rodaxis. The corresponding =maximum dry grinder rate is about 650 lbs; perhour -fr'an ultimate radial cut depth of -.005 inchwhich-may be realizedin "about 45 loop passes for-most annealed high carbon alloy rods andless than onehalf this requirement for low carbon rods -of platingquality.

The superficial finish finally attained for alloy rods is about 25micro-inches at an appraised grit cost (1950 prices) for 45-passesapproximately equal to:

For single stage tape utilization=about %/lb.

of rod For dual stage tape utilization=about /3/1b.

of rod The labor plus grit costs (single stage)-=.about The labor plusgrit costs .(dual stage) =about $15.00/ton Simultaneously reversed rodcrimps/pass=two pairs After such alloy rod is preground, its allowablewire drawing velocity may be considerably increased and thussubstantiallycompensate forits cited preprocessingwcosts. Low-:carbon.rods of better plating qualitymay be expected to yieldaconsiderable-marketing bonus over :conventional rods.

To recapitulate, the novel principle-underlying my grinder reelingteachings may be succinctly defined in the following simple algebraicterms:

When annealed solid steel rod stockof low elastic limit is coiled abouta cylindrical drum and subjected to high superficial crimping stress inexcess of one percent elongation while said stock is being reeltransferred at a certain excessive velocity, this condition inducesretrac tion to a lmiited extent of an oncoming rod portion from its rim.Such extra retraction of the kinked rod may be localized at the reelcrown and its effect is dependent upon the gauge size since any set kinkimparted to a relatively large red involves a material-lyaugmented pryapplication to make it conform to a given rim curvature.

It is preferred to work with partially annealed steel wire or rod stockhaving anelastic limit of about 50,000 lbs. per square inch, forwhieh'the 12 allowable elongation may be--empirically fixed asapproximately equal to:

. d 1.4 S =56O A 12.. cg; Eq where V So=percent of superficial stretchfor crimped alloy steel wire required to initiate the cited rimretraction when reel transferred at V0 velocity-percent of elongationdw=diametral rod sizeinches Dm=optimum cylindrical rim diameter-inchesThe corresponding critical velocity at which such rim retraction may be.initiated lies in the neighborhood of:

where Vo=0ptimum linear velocity of the transferred rod beyond which thecited retraction is likely to startfeet per minute.

In case the reel diameter shouldibematerially reduced from theprescribed Dre value, an'additional increase in bending stress arisesbut the effect thereof may *be counteracted by a :materially loweredlinear 'velocity held within the following limits-z VX=actual runningvelocity of the transferred work piece-feet/minute.

Sx=560 dw/Dr=actual imposed rod stretch .for a reduced rim diameter D;that is smaller than 'Dmpercent ,of elongation.

Insubstance, theforegoingfindings :reveal that the optimum .of renderedgrinder performance islikely to .-;be .had by the use of a light weightreel having a prescribed FDm. diameter. Equation 0 shows .it.eX-pedientfor :safe .ro'd transfer to run with a .reel diameter that.progressively increases with its. applied stock size dw.

For an annealed steel rod,-a-=-reel-l0 to 12 feet in diameter:would..1-pr.o v.e suitable .ito properly meet running conditions, butthis may be re- .duced to about 5%. footfor the safe handling of a wire.The corresponding optimum V0 values are respectivelyestimated as 2300feet/min. at a 2% stretch, and as 3450 feet/min. at 5 /2 7}, stretch. Intheevent that'a smaller than the optimum reel diameter Dro -'-isresorted to, the allowable rod transfer rate needs -tobe substantiallyreduced in accordance with -Equation--D which in turn involves areductionjn grinder performance. In Figs. 1 and 2, the reels are drawnin appropriate scale for treating rod s ock.

Eq. B

where 13 it isbelieved the foregoing rather explicit struc turaldisclosure and its functional behavior will make evident to thoseskilled in this art, the more outstanding commercial and operativeadvantages afforded by my strand grinder improvements, and I reserve theright to equivalently modify such illustrative design features, allwithout departing from the spirit and scope of my invention heretoforedescribed and more particularly characterized in the appended claims.

Iclaim:

1. A strand processing machine comprising a driven tractor reelincluding a truly cylindrical rim adapted to have a group of strandcoils contiguously trained thereon helically at one rim end region insingle layer formation and which coils constitute a length portion of anendless work piece batch that is unidirectionally advanced in successivepasses, tubular cutting tool means having a length portion of such workpiece threaded through said means in a travel course directed toward andinto immediate contact with said rim, stationary stator means includinga sustained thrust roller whose axis is radially disposed with respectto the reel axis and the perimeter of which roller is brought intoimmediate engagement with the last laid rim coil as a retractible railagency whereby to positively and automatically shift said group of coilslaterally toward the other rim end region, and supplementary strandredirecting means serving to carry the oflcoming first unwrapped rimcoil along a travel course that returns said endless work piece throughthe cutting tool means.

2. A strand processing machine comprising a driven tractor reelincluding a circular rim adapted to have a group of wire coilsgrippingly trained thereon in helical formation, cutting tool meansbrought into operative engagement with a reel oncoming portion of thework piece, stator means of which a component overlies a portion of thereel perimeter, a series of bushings radially erected through suchstator component and angularly distributed therealong, a separateeccentric journal mounted to adjustably rotate in each such bushing, aroller carried by each journal in close proximity to the rim exteriorand the respective perimeters of which rollers are brought intooperative thrusting engagement with the last laid rim coil, and keepermeans serving to fix a particular eccentric adjustment given to therespective rollers.

3. A strand treating machine comprising a driven tractor reel includinga rim adapted to have strand coils grippingly trained thereon helicallyin single layer formation, cutting tool means brought into operativeengagement with a reel oncoming portion of the work piece, a horizontalaxle mounting said reel across a pair of bearing pedestals, a splitstator including semi-circular sections whose respective terminals areflanged and superimposed in registry, a support bracket serving torigidly prop each such pair of registering flanges, and cooperatingcamming means carried by each stator section and serving tosimultaneously thrust said group of coils laterally in the direction ofthe reel axis.

4;. A strand treating machine comprising a unidirectionally driventractor reel including a comparatively-narrow circular rim adapted tohave a group of rim gripping strand coils helically trained thereon inclosely spaced formation, a

plurality of angularly distributed stanehions pro- 14 imeter to providefor rim'ledge means, c'uttin means for treating the rim oncoming strandand augment the longitudinal tension thereof, and multiple automaticcamming means that are angularly interspaced about the reel axis tocollectively impart a lateral transfer movement to the aforesaid groupof coils that successively shift the same toward and overthe rim ledgewhereby to substantially release coil tension and which re--v laxedcoils are thereupon shifted laterally in single layer formation alongthe reel stanohions.

5. A strand treating machine comprising a unidirectionally driven reelincluding a comparatively narrow circular rim adapted to have a group ofrim gripping strand coils helically trained thereon under tension,cutting tool means for treating the rim oncoming strand and augmentingthe longitudinal tension thereof, a plurality of angularly distributedstanchions projecting the same toward and over the rim ledge tosubstantially release coil tension and which relaxed coils are furthershifted in single layer formation along the reel stanchions, andrestraining roller means spacedly overlying said relaxed coils tosubstantially maintain them in single layer formation.

6. A unitary strand treating machine comprising a tractor reel includinga driven axle provided with a reel clutch and a rim adapted to have agroup of strand coils grippingly trained thereon in helical formationand which coils constitute a length portion of an endless work piecebatch that is longitudinally advanced in successive passes, an elevatedsuperstructure mounting tubular cutting tool means thereon and having areel oncoming work piece portion threaded therethrough, camming meansincluding a roller disposed to laterally thrust the last laid reel coilaxially lengthwise of said rim, supplementary strand reversing meanshaving an axis that is interspaced with respect to the reel axis andwhich reversing means serves to redirect a rim leaving strand portioninto return alignment with said tubular cutting tool means, and a batchsupply spool and a mated batch oiftake drum carried by saidsuperstructure and respectively located in interposed relation to thereel axis and the axis of the strand reversing means.

"7. A unitary strand processing machine comprising laterally interspacedsole plate means, a clutchable tractor reel mounted upon a main axlecarried by mated pedestals that respectively rest upon said sole platemeans, such reel including a rim that is selectively rotatable upon themain axle and adapted to have a group of strand coils grippingly trainedthereon in helical formation, motorized drive means applied to rotatesaid axle, supplementary strand redirecting means operatively mountedupon another axle, a cutting tool unit arranged to treat a reel oncomingstrand portion as a work piece, camming means disposed to laterallyshift the last laid reel coil axially'lengthwise of said rim, aframework spanningly resting upon said sole plate means and providedwith mated bearings that mount a drive shaft in substantial parallelismwith the reel axle, a shaft clutch interposed between said bearings andwhich clutch is equipped with.a sleeve projecting through one suchbearing, an overhanging oiftake drum 1'5 affixed to the projecting .endof said sleeve, and power transmission means driving :the clutched drumin unison with the unclutched main reel axle.

'8. A strand processing machine comprising duplex tractor reels eachincluding a circular rim respectively adapted to have agroup of rimgripping strand coils helically trained thereon, and which respectivecoil groups are constituents of a common endless work piece batch havingtwo linearly remote portions thereof suspended between said tractorreels, motive means driving said reels in unison and serving to impart alinear velocity to said batch, cutting tool head means placed intooperative engagement with one of the suspended work piece portionsyandautomatic complementary camming means for said duplex reels and whichmeans respectively include a roller serving to simultaneously shift eachsuch coil group laterally in reversed travel direction as measuredaxially lengthwiseof their respective rims whereby to bring said onesuspended work piece portion into aligned return engagement with saidhead means.

9. A strand processing machine comprising laterally spaced sole platemeans, a driven tractor reel having an axle whose ends are respectivelysustained by said means, such reel including a rim adapted to have agroup of strand coils grippingly trained thereon, an elevatedsuperstructure erected upon the sole platezmeans, arcutting :tool unit:upheld by the superstructure and arranged to treat a reel oncomingstrand regionas a workpiece, and strut means provided withia releasableclamp disposed to fixedly retain a strandlength portion againstlongitudinal shift.

:10. A strand processing machine comprising .an axle mounted tractorreel including a drivenrim adapted to have a group of strandcoils.grippingly trained thereon and which wrapped coils constitutealengthportion of an endlesswork piece batch :that is :advancedlongitudinally by said reel, cutting tool-means arranged ito treat a.reel oncoming .work piece region, camming means serving to laterallyshift the last laidstrand coil axially lengthwise of said rim, a .pairof laterally spacedibaserails, a skew sheave that is embracedbyisaidzendless work pieceandcarriedby another axle which ilS:interspaced from and inclinedly mounted relative to the reel axle by ashort and along laterally diverted pedestal each provided.wit-hiaslidablezshoe thatzrespectively engages one of said base .rails,:and .jack mean cooperating with each rail and serving to definitely.locate the respective slide positions of saidshoes whereby zto,adjustably tension the sheave embracing work piece.

;1 l. A strand processing: machinecomprisingan axle:mounte.d tractorreel including adrivcn rim adapted to have a group of strand coils .grip

.pingly trained thereon and which .wrapped coils constitute .a lengthportion of ,an endless work piece. batch that is advanced longitudinallyby said :reel, cutting tool head ,means arranged :to

treat-a reel oncoming work piece ,region, camming :nieans serving tolaterally :shift the last .laid strand coil axially lengthwise ofsaidri-m', laterally spaced :base grails, iagskew sheave that hassaidendless workpiece trained thereon-and :is :carriedsby an axleinterspacedfrom the reel axle :upon mated pedestals respectively equipped with :aslidable :rail engaging shoe, a separate towing jack for shiftingeachsuch shoe and .which :jacks respectively comprise opposed-screwshanks zandni threadedzinterconnecting :quill, and

i6 means .operatively linking said iquills to rotateifi unison.

12-. A strand grinder comprising a driven tractor reel including acircular rim vadapted to have a group of strand coils :helically trainedthereon and which laid coils constitute a length portion of .an endlesswork piece batch that is advanced linearly by said reel, motorized meansfor driving said reel, camming means including a thrust roller imposedinto immediate registering contact with the last laid reel coil as arace agency to laterally shiftisuch coil -,axially lengthwise of said:rim, rotatable grinder head means carrying a-supply of abrasiveta-pethat .is brought into cutting zone engagement with a reel .oncomingstrand portion, controlled motorized means including a .driveshaft forrotating said head means, and a separate motorized tape feed shaftsection equipped with a long-range reducer of which the input shaft isoperated from said drive shaft through differential gear means thatpermit of independently stalling the rotation of the feedshaft sectionwhile said drive shait continues to rotate.

13. A strand grinder comprising a driven tractor reel adapted to haveagroup of strand coils grippingly trained thereon, grinder head meansequipped'with a pair of opposed abrasive tapes that are respectively fedinto localized cutting zone engagement with a reel oncoming strandportion as a tape inter-posedwork piece, and complementary elongatedbacking jaws carried by the head means and serving to thrust said tapestoward their respective-cutting,zones, a longitudinal face region of onesuch jaw being kept substantially flat in profile and its matedremaining face region provided with an arcuate protuberance projectinginwardly toward the jaw whereby to extend the eifective-cuttingcontact-area of the tape grit.

14. A strand processing machine comprising a driven tractor reel adaptedto have a plurality of strand coils spirally laid thereon,-means servingto bodily shift such coils laterally after being laid, and cutting toolmeans serving to reduce the dianietrical size of a reel oncoming strandportion, said means including a pair of reversely faced abrasive tapeshaving said oncoming strand portion operatively interposed therebetweenand of which one such tapeis linear-1y advariced toward and partiallyWrapped perimetrically about such strand portion to constitute aconcaved cutting zone.

15. A strand processing machine 'comprisingin combination a driventractor reel whose rim element affords a cylindrical face of which themajor portion is embraced by a closely wound group of laterally flexiblestrand coils including a last laid reel oncomingcoil that are trainedlielically in singlelayerformation into immediate contact with said faceand which group of coils constitute'a length component of a strand loopserving as an endless work piece, tool means disposed to diametricallyreduce the work piece size, and stationary stator means mountedalongside one rim end region and equipped with a series of automaticcarnming means angularly disposed in arcuate .order about the reel axisand respectively including a thrust roller whose axis is locatedoutwardly beyond the lateral confines of the lastglaid coil, the severalroller perimeters being simultaneously maintained intoimmediate contactwith said lastlaid coilserving as a laterally shiftable-track agencythat .is roller wiped topositively and collectively propel 17 the entiregroup of coils axially toward the other rim end.

16. A strand processing machine comprising in combination aunidirectionally driven tractor reel including a cylindrical rim elementhaving one end region that provides for a perimetric face adapted to behelically embraced by a closely wound group of laterally flexible strandcoils crimpingly trained under linear tension into immediate contactwith said face and which coils constitute a strand length componentserving as a work piece of which a portion is tangentially dragged tocontiguously lay on said face a last oncoming reel coil that affords aninitial point of tangency, tool means disposed to diametrically reducethe work piece size, and ring shaped stationary stator means having abore approximately equal to the rim face diameter mounted in substantialcoaxial relation and equipped with automatic camming means including aseries of rollers of which their respective perimeters travel withoutsubstantial slip at linear strand velocity in maintained immediatelengthwise wiping contact with said last laid coil as a laterallyshiftable track agency, the first of said roller series starting in thevicinity of such point of tangency with the remaining rollers angularlyspaced therefrom in the direction of reel rotation and which rollers arestepped gradationally away from the aforesaid one rim end whereby duringeach reel revolution to positively advance the entire length of saidlast laid coil laterally toward the opposite rim end to an approximatelyequal distance.

17. A strand processing machine comprising in combination aunidirectionally driven tractor reel having a cylindrical rim elementadapted to be embraced by a group of laterally flexible strand coilsincluding a last laid reel oncoming coil that are trained onto the rimhelically under initial linear tension in substantially single layerformation and which group of coils constitute a strand length componentthat serves as a work piece, tool means disposed to diametrically reducethe work piece size, ledge means sunk axially crosswise of the rimlength to substantially relieve coil tension and underlying said groupof coils between the ends thereof, and automatic camming means includinga roller cooperating with said last laid coil to positively impart aprogressive transfer movement to the aforesaid group of coils andthereby shift each coil successively over and beyond the ledge means.

18, A strand processing machine comprising in combination a driventractor reel having a smoothly faced cylindrical rim element adapted tobe contiguously embraced by a group of reelable strand coils trainedhelically about the rim face and which group of coils constitute alength component of a strand loop serving as an endless work piece thatis linearly advanced in consecutive passes at a relatively fast rate oftravel, grinder head means provided with a pair of comparatively coarsegrit abrasive tapes having the work piece operatively interposedtherebetween and which tapes are slowly fed crosswise of the work pieceto substantially expend the tape grit by gradual loading in passingthrough their respective grinding zones, the finished work piecesurfacing treatment as measured in microinches being thereby brought toa materially finer state than the cutting depth imparted by the zoneapproaching tape grit, and reel associated means serving to laterallyshift said group of coils in the direction of the reel axis in unisonwith the reel rotation.

19. A strand grinder machine provided with a driven tractor reel havinga layer of strand coils trained thereon, rotatable cutting tool meansserving to reduce the gauge size of' a reel oncoming strand component,said means comprising a pair of duplex abrasive tapes that are alignedlysuperimposed in substantial edgewise registry, and feed meansindependently advancing said tapes linearly in unison with the drivenreel into straddling relationship about the profile of such strandcomponent with their respective grit faces reversely crimped toconstitute diametrically opposed concaved dual cutting zones that eachpartially embrace said profile whereby to spread the combined effectiveperimetric expanse of such zones.

LOUIS ILLMER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,744,779 Massingham Jan. 28,1930 1,847,161 Alden Mar. 1, 1932 2,105,637 Davis Jan. 18, 19382,343,460 Illmer et al. Mar. 7, 1944 2,365,640 Illmer et al Dec. 19,1944 2,424,465 Illmer July 22, 1947

1. A STRAND PROCESSING MACHINE COMPRISING A DRIVEN TRACTOR REELINCLUDING A TRULY CYLINDRICAL RIM ADAPTED TO HAVE A GROUP OF STRANDCOILS CONTIGUOUSLY TRAINED THEREON HELICALLY AT ONE RIM END REGION INSINGLE LAYER FORMATION AND WHICH COILS CONSTITUTE A LENGTH PORTION OF ANENDLESS WORK PIECE BATCH THAT IS UNIDIRECTIONALLY ADVANCED IN SUCCESSIVEPASSES, TUBULAR CUTTING TOOL MEANS HAVING A LENGTH PORTION OF SUCH WORKPIECE THREADED THROUGH SAID MEANS IN A TRAVEL COURSE DIRECTED TOWARD ANDINTO IMMEDIATE CONTACT WITH SAID RIM, STATIONATY STATOR MEANS INCLUDINGA SUSTAINED THRUST ROLLER WHOSE AXIS IS RADIALLY DISPOSED WITH RESPECTTO THE REEL AXIS AND THE PERIMETER OF WHICH ROLLER IS BROUGHT INTOIMMEDIATE ENGAGEMENT WITH THE LAST LAID RIM COIL AS A RETRACTIBLE RAILAGENCY WHEREBY TO POSITIVELY AND AUTOMATICALLY SHIFT SAID GROUP OF COILSLATERALLY TOWARD THE OTHER RIM END REGION, AND SUPPLEMENTARY STRANDREDIRECTING MEANS SERVING TO CARRY THE OFFCOMING FIRST UNWRAPPED RIMCOIL ALONG A TRAVEL COURSE THAT RETURNS SAID ENDLESS WORK PIECE THROUGHTHE CUTTING TOOL MEANS.